OLYMPIC TEAM FUNDS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 5 April 1928, Page 5

OLYMPIC TEAM FUNDS.

HAWERA’S READY RESPONSE. NEARLY £IOO IN TWO DAYS. The generous response of the citizens of Hawera and district to the appeal for funds to assist in sending the Dominion .representatives to. the Olympic Games was the subject of eulogistic remarks by the secretary of the New Zealand Council of the Olympic Association (Mr G. P. Aldridge) when, at die monthly meeting of the Hawera Amateur Athletic Club Committee last evening lie expressed appreciation on behalf of the association of the fine effort being made in Hawera to- assist in the campaign. Reporting on his visit of two days in connection with the campaign, Mr Aldridge said the people of Hawera had been exceedingly generous in responding to the appeal. “We have hardly met with a refusal or an effort to get out of subscribing to the fund. Hie people of Hawera evidently realise the significance of the splendid opportunity New Zealand has of being well represented at the meeting of world champions,” he continued in referring to interviews he had had with people of the town and district in oompany with the president of the club, Mr_ W. A. Spragg, and another of its officials, Mr M. R. Jones.

“During my visit to Hawera I have not heard anything but the highest praise of your outstanding javelin throw exponent, S. A. Lay, and it seems to be the earnest desire of all that lie should go to Amsterdam,” he remarked. SHOULD' REACH £l5O MARK. Whereas when the effort commenced the local fund stood at about £3O there was now approximately £l2O in sight and he was confident that if, as hail been suggested, the campaign was continued until April 21, concluding with a special rally, the sum of at least £l5O would he realised. So far only a comparatively few people other than those of the town had been approached and fie felt sure that further support could be expected from residents of the outlying districts and from all parts of the province. Mr Aldridge said that though the lainpaigii had been late in starting the association authorities had been striving to the best of their ability to set it in motion. It had now been fairly launched and was meeting with good support though not altogether to the 3xtent which had been anticipated in view of the fact that the Dominion was able to send its best team for many .-ears to the games and that New Zealand had the opportunity for the first time of taking part as a separate nation among the representatives of rbout sixty nations who were expected :o be present. TEAM’S BRIGHT PROSPECTS. “The prospects of the team are very bright,”, he continued. “Lay stands nit possibly as the one athlete who we •an say lias a splendid opportunity of winning a world title and when he gets into proper training I am sure he will in prove on the very fine performances je has ,already achieved, and succeed in winging glory to -the Dominion and to ,iis own province and town. When the possibility of .sending a team was first liscussed Lay was the first mentioned n order of merit and it was practically 'ecided he would be sent to represent New Zealand even if funds did not permit anyone else being sent.” The association was naturally keen, lowever, to send as many as possible who showed the required standard. Next to Lay came Miss Wilson, of Gisborne. who” should acquit herself well n the ladies’ division.

The times registered by the two lady swimmers. Misses Eiia Stocklev, of Auckland, and Kathleen Miller, of Dunedin, gave prospects of them performing well at Amsterdam, while the ither swimmer selected, D. P. Lindsay, of Canterbury, had not been really tried out in New Zealand and in competition with the champions of other countries could be expected to improve on liis previous perform a nee s. Mr Aldridge said he had every confidence in the boxer, Ted Morgan, and considered he would go very, near to winning the lightweight division. SIX CANDIDATES ASSURED.

The six referred to would definitely be sent, the association having the assurance to date of about £3OOO. Berths for the rowing crew of eight, with a coxwain and coach, had also been pencilled on the Remuera leaving on April 28, but another £4OOO would be required to assure their being sent. If it were found the rowers could not proceed with the others of the team, it was still hoped»thev would-be able to' go by a later boat, the lonic, sailing in May.

The standard they had reached certainly merited their inclusion. T'hie was also the possibility of another boxer, A. CHeverley, making the crip. His fellow employees in the Railway Department were endeavouring to subscribe his fare und had already, forwarded over £GO. in view of the effort being made on His behalf the association had agreed to meet liis expenses in England and Amsterdam. Replying to questions, Mr Aldridge said that £4OO a'member was being allowed for the total expenses, £2OO being for fares and the remainder for assembly expenses, equipment and living while away. Nothing, however, would be paid to members of the team in respect of the loss of time from their "““'“fScblS , |AWEItA Referring to the local fund Mr R. Foy reported that the proprietors of the Carlton Tea Rooms had offered the use of the looms and also' to provide supper free of charge if a euchre tournament was organised by the club.—lt was decided to accept the offer with thanks. . On the suggestion of Mr Marter it was also decided to approach lady supporters of the club with a view to the organisation of a dance under the auspices of the . club, the proceeds to be devoted to the fund. . . During further general discussion Mr Aldridge referred to the shilling subscription lists which had been supported throughout. the Dominion. Lists at 34 police stations had already realised £l2O and £9O had been subscribed in 24 Government-departments.